PEAR TREES

               Pear trees like most fruit trees can be trained into various shapes within reason, and to do this be sure you select a "young" pear tree.

        ROOTSTOCK

               Rootstock, a common term means that the tree/bush you have chosen has been grafted unto a stock which makes the main plant grow in different soil conditions, or be prolific, semi-dwarf, half standards or even full standards, normally they will be marked on the puchase label or your plant seller will advise you.

               Most pear trees will need a pollinator but there are exceptions, whilst some horticulturists say that another pear tree should be used I prefer to buy different types of fruit trees (whether they are pear, apple or plum) that help pollinate each other, as you look around the centres for pear trees you may see another type of fruit you would prefer, rather than having two pear trees, you may opt for mixture of pear /apple/cherry/nut or some other mixture, whatever your choice ask the advice of your garden/horticulture centre, here I give a list of some of the pear trees.

        AVOCADO PEARS.

                Forgive me if you feel I am wrong, for I have included the  avocado under vegetables!! Which I thought more appropriate, due  to the many uses that are applied to the  avocado, such as soup,  salads, guacamole and so on. I have included under the avocado  section all the descriptions and various pictures of the different  advocado pears and given my thoughts on the various tastes.

        PEAR BETH

               A pear tree with high yields producing fruit with pale green skin turning pale yellow when ripe,with an excellent flavour, which was first named and released in 1974, this is a pear tree that requires a pollinator.

        PEAR CONCORDE

               (No connection with the aeroplane). The Concorde pear, is a tree that will crop even when young and continually gives high yields. When forming,Concorde pears have a pale green skin, but on ripening the pear turns yellow with gold or  russeting, making it a suitable choice for  growing as a cordon, a sweet and juicy flesh which is pale yellow. Concorde pear is suitable in most climates but needs a pollinator.

        PEAR CONFERENCE

               The name was adopted when it was first shown at the British pear conference in 1885, a heavy cropping pear with a firm creamy white flesh which is both sweet and juicy, a pear suitable in most areas and even reliable in unfavorable conditions. Although self fertile the pears crop better with a pollinator.

        PEAR DOYENNE DU COMICE

               This tree originates from France,  producing large melt in the mouth pale yellow flesh pear, pale green skin ripening to yellow with a red flush. In growing, the pear needs a warm sheltered spot and would be ideal for training as an espalier or fan on a south facing wall, a pear tree that definately needs a good pollinator.

       PEAR INVINCIBLE (DELWINOR)

               Invincible or Delwinor is a pear tree first raised in France which is both hardy and tough yielding good quality pears and heavy cropping each year. If frost does not catch the first blossoms (it blossoms twice a year), two crops of Invicible pears, which are emerald green (turning slightly yellow when ripe) juicy and crisp when first picked maturing to a tender, sweet succulent pears when mature.

   PEAR SENSATION.

               SENSATION is a tree that can be chosen not only for its pears but also the shiny coppery foliage to set off other plants, Sensation (or in some cases it is called red sensation) produces pears with a bright red skin, although when sensation pear begins to ripen it is green with the red flush as in the picture) with juicy, melting, creamy white flesh. Sensation pear trees,  first raised in Australia in 1940 is showing popularity around the world. A pollinator is a must!

        PEAR SUPER COMICE.

                There are variations to this pear tree namely, the way the growers have successfully trained them into varying shapes from espalier to a double "U" cordon, making them one of the most suitable of pears for growing against walls and fences. The Super Comice pear is a variety that will need a pollinator from the same flowering group which will yield a good  fruit set. This pear tree is attractive even in flower with its pure white flowers in spring, growing into pears that have a reddish flush in autumn, the deliciousness of the pear (when eaten) is enhanced with the hint of Almond and Honey. Versatile in its growing habits Super Comice pear trees will thrive even in cooler climates. With the amount of fruit it bears it pays you to thin out the fruit so only one pear is left from the cluster.

        PEAR WILLIAMS BON CHRETIEN.

               Williams Bon Chretien pears, may be well known by this name, or you may also know it as the Bartlett pear, for it was taken to the U.S.A. in 1707 and renamed, and is still a most  important fruit. Whilst Williams Bon Chretien pear trees are very hardy and reliable do not plant in wet areas, when formed pick the pears a couple of days earlier, and the flesh,pale green, will ripen to a golden yellow, Williams Bon Chreyien pears will be juicy, and sweet with a strong flavour. A good crop of pears will be produced with a pollinator.

               You too may be producing juicidly good pears not included here so please send me the name and description and I will gladly include them on my list giving credit by including your name and country.

               Remember if you celebrate the 12 days of christmas like the British, and  you have a pear tree, all you need is a partridge to celebrate the first day (but you might have trouble keeping the partridge in the tree).            FRED